heraldic beast

A heraldic beast is a stylized animal used in heraldry, the tradition of designing coats of arms and family symbols. These creatures often combine features from real animals, such as lions, dragons, or griffins, and are crafted with symbolic meanings like strength, courage, or vigilance. Heraldic beasts serve as visual identifiers and convey the qualities or history of a family, organization, or region. They are depicted in a consistent, artistic style within heraldic design, functioning both as decorative elements and symbols of identity in coats of arms and heraldic imagery.